The Hill:
Bailed-out firms start rebuilding on K St.: “Big banks and automakers bailed out by the government are now on a K Street shopping spree.”
Census hiring blitz of 750,000 to cut jobless rate, offer boost to Obama: “Unemployment rate could drop by half a point and boost Obama, but workers will only be on until June.”
Senate votes 100-0 to highlight spending: “The Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to tell the public when it isn’t paying for new spending or tax cuts.”
USA Today:
Greek PM: I didn’t ask Obama for ‘bailout money’: “The Greek leader said he didn’t ask Obama to direct aid for his nation’s debt crisis, and that the president expressed support for efforts to crack down on market speculation arising from Greece’s problems.”
Washington Post:
House Democrats seek to limit earmarks: “Seeking to reclaim the reform mantle amid a series of scandals, House Democratic leaders are advocating a move that would shake up the multibillion-dollar practice of awarding no-bid contracts known as congressional earmarks.”
Levin: Job creation to be top priority: “As he takes the reins of the tax-writing House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Sander M. Levin says that in addition to job creation, he plans to wade aggressively into the debate over national tax policy.”
GOP targets Dems over reconciliation: “Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) warns House Democrats that they would be taking a colossal risk if they approved the Senate’s version of health-care legislation before the Senate had acted to remove some of the bill’s most contentious provisions.”
New York Times:
Broad Plan Urged to Battle New York’s Fiscal Crisis: “Lt. Gov. Richard Ravitch will unveil a plan that includes borrowing billions and imposing curbs on future spending.”
A Consumer Bill Gives Exemption on Payday Loans: “Senator Bob Corker wants a proposed bank agency to be more lenient toward nonbank companies, but some advocates say that would hurt consumers.”
China’s Exports Rise 46%: “Economists said the data signaled a rebound in consumer demand in the U.S. and other Western markets.”
Wall Street Journal:
Jobs Bill Clears Senate Hurdle: “The Senate voted 66-34 to approve a procedural motion on a $150 billion bill that extends a series of tax credits, continues emergency-benefits programs and provides additional aid to struggling state governments.”
Mexico Tops Obama’s Trade Agenda: “The Obama Administration’s top trade negotiator, Ron Kirk, said the U.S. is working quickly to resolve a damaging trade spat with Mexico.”
LA Times:
Economic recovery is emerging from U.S. factories: “Improbable as it seems, the brightest spot so far in the nation’s spotty economic recovery is a sector long considered all but dead — good-old-fashioned manufacturing.”
Politico:
Hurdles to financial reform: “The legislation may fall short of resolving conflicts of interest.”
